A computational model of the human head and neck system for the analysis of whiplash motion

Abstract

A computational model of the human head and neck system for the analysis of whiplash motion Abstract -This paper presents the development and validation of a three-dimensional multi-body model of the human head and neck for the study of whiplash motion. The model has been validated against experimental data for small and large static loading conditions. The resulting main and coupled displacements of the individual motion segments have been shown to be accurate and the moment generating capacity of the neck muscle elements realistic. The model has been used for the dynamic simulation of impacts in frontal, lateral and rear-end directions. For rear-end impacts the characteristics of 'whiplash' motion have been accurately reproduced in terms of head and vertebral kinematics The model results with active musculature suggest that, for rear-end impact, the influence of active muscle response is unable to significantly alter the head and neck kinematics of an initially unaware occupant but will affect the forces developed in the cervical soft-tissues.

Application of the MEBDFV solver to dynamic simulation of some specific multibody systems: an example of a cervical spine model

“…Figure 7 displays time history of the head-neck response to 8.5g rear-end impact (g = 9.81 m/s 2 ). The results are very similar to the ones reported in [35]. Head translations in the global coordinate system and head velocity are presented in Fig.…”

“…Van der Horst [34] extended the de Jager's model by describing the discs and ligaments as viscoelastic nonlinear elements. Van Lopik and Acar [35] presented a three-dimensional multibody model of the head and neck for the analysis of whiplash motion. Apart from the discs and ligaments they took into account facet joints too.…”

“…Kumeresan et al [42] employed a solid model of the annulus, beam model of the annulus fibrosus; the nucleus was treated as incompressible liquid. In the model of van Lopik and Acar [35] the discs were represented by non-linear viscoelastic 'bushing' constraints.…”

“…5 Kinematic excitation of Th1 for whiplash simulation: a horizontal acceleration profile, b horizontal translation no definitive explanation of the mechanisms leading to the whiplash trauma. Dynamics of the head-neck system during impacts is still studied both experimentally and computationally [35,45].…”

“…The base of a specimen was subject to horizontal acceleration of 3.5, 5, 6.5 and 8g. The phenomenon was analyzed numerically by van Lopik and Acar [35] who studied peak accelerations of 2.5, 4.5, 6.5 and 8.5g.…”